Linux.com

What is Linux?

Learn about Linux

Feeds

Special Offers

Forums: New to Linux - How Does this all work?

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Print this topic | You are not subscribed

Forum Index » Forums » New to Linux

Author	Message
eric Joined: Mar 14, 2008 Posts: 3 Other Topics	Posted Mar 15, 2008 at 3:06:27 AM Subject: How Does this all work? Hi, I want to install Linux on my HP laptop (1.8 Ghz, AMD Turion-64 bit processor, 80MB HD, 2GB of Ram) but don't know how this all might work. I will probably want to go with the dual boot option. Will Linux run all of my Window's applications? Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc Browsers? Mozilla & IE Are there Firewall's available with Linuz or does it run the Windows Firewall? Anti-Virus software? I run AVG I do CADD for a living and need to know if it will run AutoCAD and Microstation. Are there app's that are known not to run on Linux? Thanks for the help. e r i c
Back to top
Reed Joined Feb 07, 2008 Posts: 758 Other Topics	Posted: Mar 15, 2008 2:40:04 PM Subject: How Does this all work? 1. Linux is not Windows. So no, it will not natively run Windows applications. That being said, there are programs that allow you to run some windows apps under linux, such as WINE. However, there are plenty of open source equivalents out there for applications. Open Office for example has all the functionality of Microsoft Office, but without the cost. 2. Mozilla is open source; Firefox comes preinstalled with many linux distros. IE doesn't run under linux, and frankly, I'm glad of it. 3. Plenty of firewall programs available for linux. 4. Antivirus programs are less needed, but they are out there. ClamAV is a good one. 5. CAD programs for linux: https://webct.uri.edu/SCRIPT/2081-URIPS-BCH-311-SEC0001-3093/scripts/student/serve_mail
Back to top
eric Joined Mar 14, 2008 Posts: 3 Other Topics	Posted: Mar 17, 2008 12:37:40 AM Subject: How Does this all work? thanks for the feedback. So, now I am wondering what benefits will I get from changing over to Linux? I am more of a user of software and not a developer. I don't really want to have to change all of the programs I am used to using. The link for the CAD programs wouldn't let me on the site without logging in. So if you could list what you found I would appreciate it. Thanks, e r i c
Back to top
Reed Joined Feb 07, 2008 Posts: 758 Other Topics	Posted: Mar 17, 2008 2:02:27 AM Subject: How Does this all work? Whoops. Looks like I copied the wrong link. Sorry about that. http://www.tech-edv.co.at/lunix/CADlinks.html Try that. As far as benefits...well, I rather like supporting the ideals of freedom and community over greed and secrecy, but concretely, to you, I don't know. Security? No Windows rot? Less expensive or even free (as in beer) software? What made you decide to try linux to begin with?
Back to top
eric Joined Mar 14, 2008 Posts: 3 Other Topics	Posted: Mar 19, 2008 2:01:48 AM Subject: How Does this all work? thanks for the links. Very helpful. And I appreciate the time you have taken to explain things. As far as why do I want to try Linux? I want a faster more stable operating system. And i am all for free software, security, etc. But I don't want to have to change every program that i am used to using. So if i install the dual boot option, do I then have two partitions on my HD?. Or do I have one drive with programs that only work with either Linux or Windows? thanks, eric
Back to top
Reed Joined Feb 07, 2008 Posts: 758 Other Topics	Posted: Mar 19, 2008 6:27:52 PM Subject: How Does this all work? There would be two partitions, at least. (You could conceivably create more.) You would boot either into Windows or into Linux. Also, you would be able to access files and docs from your Windows partition via linux, though not run apps. Not sure if Windows can read the linux partition or not.
Back to top

Forum Index » Forums » New to Linux

Tableless layout

Validate XHTML 1.0 Strict

Powered by Xaraya